I never thought that I would be attending the funeral of one of my young learned friends so soon. I was looking forward to graduation celebrations and weddings to come.
On Thursday last week, my young learned friend, Gary Leon Robert was laid to rest in the Nilai Memorial Park. Looking at the large crowd that came for the Wake and the funeral service, he has touched many lives from all walks of life.
It's been a difficult time for many for us (including myself) who knew Gary. Most of us or if not all of us are still trying very hard to grapple with the loss of our dear friend.
Last week during my devotion time, I came across a passage in in Daniel 2:17-23.
It starts off by stating about how our problems and fears seem less serious in the day time when we're active and busy. Then when darkness falls and the lights go out, our fears and worries become larger.
Yes, it so true. Quite often before I sleep, I would think about Gary. But I am reminded in the devotion that "we should not forget that we serve a God who never sleeps and is sovereign over our affairs both day and night. We should take comfort that God uses these times of darkness to teach us invaluable lessons we might never learn in the light. He desires to teach us things about Himself that we will only learn in the dark - when we are holding tightly to Him and He has our undivided attention.
During these times, we will be losers if we resist Him and what He is trying to teach us. He wants to share His secrets with us. "He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him" (2:22)
One of the biggest mistake we can make is to be angry with God because of things that happen. Or don't happen. "Woe to Him who quarrels with His Maker". Instead let us allow God to use these dark times to give you "the treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name" Isaiah 45:3"
That was the extract from one of my devotion this week which I felt was very appropriate for all of us during this time when we have lost a dear friend.
I will miss Gary and we all will for the long time to come. Why? Because he has deposited some part of his life in us. As we go through our daily life, we will have little things reminding us of Gary.
His picture on the LRT train will there for a year at least.
Gary Leon Robert was many things. He was courageous. He was intelligent. He had a great smile. He was immensely talented. He was great company, and he was as good, and as true a friend as any person could hope for.
I was privileged to know him, and to call him my friend.
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